Poised for Exit

Welcome to the Poised for Exit podcast! Poised for Exit is an under 30-minute strategic planning guidance podcast for busy small business owners. Each week you’ll hear certified exit planning advisor, Julie Keyes, talk with a range of entrepreneurs and professionals about preparing your business for a future transition. Guests at every stage of company ownership will share their personal stories and lessons learned about topics such as the anatomy of the exit planning process, developing a growth strategy, how to sell on your terms, exit planning for women small business owners, handling business diversity, and how to sell a family business. Whether you’re planning an exit in the near future or not, this show will provide you with the same action-oriented content that Julie utilizes while consulting with Keyestrategies clients. Building an exit strategy can be overwhelming, especially with all the decisions and details you have to consider. “Poised for Exit” will simplify the proces

Poised for Exit is a business podcast hosted by Julie Keyes, with 315 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Julie Keyes hosts Poised for Exit, a business show with 315 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #317

  The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Buying a Business

  Oct 1, 202636 minS1

  In this episode of Poised for Exit, Jaryd Krause , founder of Buying Online Businesses , shares how buying an existing business can open up new opportunities for entrepreneurs, whether they’re looking for a new venture or a faster way to grow a business they already own. Jaryd’s own path into business ownership started with a simple realization: instead of building something from scratch, why not buy a business that was already working? He shares how that decision led him to buy several online businesses and eventually help other entrepreneurs do the same. Along the way, he breaks down how buyers can narrow their search, understand what they can afford, and find a business that actually fits their goals and strengths. The conversation also gets into one of the biggest challenges for buyers: knowing whether a promising opportunity is really as good as it looks. Jaryd shares what to look for during due diligence, why getting emotionally attached to a deal can cloud your judgment, and how existing business owners can use acquisitions to add new capabilities, revenue streams, and growth opportunities. Connect with Jaryd Krause here Learn more about Buying Online Businesses here Listen to the Buying Online Businesses Podcast here Connect with Julie Keyes , Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #316

  Business Owners Helping Business Owners: The 2026 Owners Forum

  Sep 24, 202623 minS1

  In this episode of Poised for Exit , Todd Krough , President of the EPI Twin Cities Chapter discusses why some of the most valuable insights for business owners can come from other owners who have already faced the decisions, challenges, and opportunities that come with preparing for what’s next. Todd shares how the Twin Cities Chapter has evolved over the past decade and why collaboration among business owners and their advisors is such an important part of successful exit planning. From building enterprise value to assembling the right advisory team, the conversation explores how better preparation can benefit not only the owner, but the long-term future of the business. Todd also previews the 2026 Owners Forum on October 7 , an interactive event designed around business owners learning from other business owners. Attendees will hear directly from a panel of owners about their experiences, take part in small-group discussions, and have the opportunity to connect with owners and advisors facing many of the same questions around growth, transition, and what comes next. Connect with Todd Krough here Learn more about the EPI Twin Cities Chapter here Register for the 2026 Owners Forum here Connect with Julie Keyes , Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #315

  Post-Closing Surprises: What Business Owners Need to Know

  Sep 17, 202639 minS1

  In this episode of Poised for Exit , Andy Knutson of John A. Knutson & Co., PLLP and Zach Freeman of Christensen Group Insurance explore what can happen after a business transaction closes and why business owners and their advisors need to be prepared for issues that may surface after the deal is done. The conversation covers the post-closing process, including working capital true-ups, closing balance sheet adjustments, tax deadlines, and financial discrepancies that can affect both buyers and sellers. Andy explains how seemingly small accounting issues can become significant when they affect EBITDA and the purchase price, and why having advisors who know the business involved throughout the transaction can help identify potential problems earlier. Zach breaks down reps and warranties insurance, how it can protect buyers when unknown issues surface after closing, and why it can also help reduce friction between buyers and sellers. Andy and Zach also discuss the importance of thorough due diligence, strong communication among advisors, and taking a proactive approach to reducing post-transaction surprises. Connect with Andy Knutson here Learn more about John A. Knutson & Co., PLLP here Connect with Zach Freeman here Learn more about Christensen Group Insurance here Connect with Julie Keyes , Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #314

  From Uncertainty to Action: What the Latest Business Survey Reveals

  Sep 9, 202634 minS1

  In this episode of Poised for Exit , Peter Pluimer of Old National Bank shares insights from the bank’s latest State of Business Report and what business owners across the Midwest are saying about today’s opportunities, challenges, and economic uncertainty. The conversation explores how business owners are moving forward despite uncertainty, from investing in their workforce and accessing capital to addressing growing cybersecurity risks. Peter also discusses what he’s seeing in the lending environment and why waiting for the “perfect” interest rate can sometimes hold businesses back from making investments that support growth and long-term value. Peter also shares what the survey revealed about AI adoption, including how many businesses are still in the early stages of putting AI into practice. He discusses how Old National Bank is incorporating AI internally and shares a real-world example of how one business used AI to analyze financial data, identify underperforming equipment, and make more informed operational decisions. Connect with Peter Pluimerhere Learn more about Old National Bankhere View The State of Business Survey Report 2026 here Learn more and register for the 2026 M&A Summit here ️ Complimentary registration code: PFE2026 Connect with Julie Keyes , Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #313

  Inside the 2026 M&A Summit: What Business Owners Can Expect

  Sep 2, 202630 minS1

  In this episode of Poised for Exit , Andy Schwandt of True North Mergers & Acquisitions offers a preview of the 2026 M&A Summit , an annual event bringing together business owners and advisors for a day focused on preparing, positioning, and planning for successful business transitions. The conversation explores what attendees can expect from this year’s Summit, including discussions around owner readiness, mitigating risk, and understanding what can go wrong during a transaction. Andy also shares why preparing a business well before an exit is on the immediate horizon matters, from reducing owner dependency and customer concentration to building the right team of advisors. Andy also previews several highlights from the 2026 M&A Summit, including keynote speaker Walter Bond, an economic update from Goldman Sachs, the Grow or Go panel, lessons from owner exit readiness, and the live QuietAuction™ experience , where private equity firms evaluate the same business and submit competing offers. Connect with Andy Schwandt here Learn more about True North Mergers & Acquisitions here Learn more and register for the 2026 M&A Summit here ️ Complimentary registration code: PFE2026 Interested in sponsorship opportunities or hosting a VIP table for your clients? Contact Nicole Magandy at nicole@slipka.com Connect with Julie Keyes , Keyestrategies LLC Founder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Poised for Exit. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.